Episode 9 of "Namib" kicks off with the poignant scene of Soo-hyun and Jun-seok inking the contract that seals Jin-woo's fate, transferring him to a fresh entertainment firm. Jin-woo, desperate and pleading, realizes with a shattering revelation that Soo-hyun had merely used him as a pawn to fund Shim Jin-woo's factory. Their breakup is tinged with bitterness and tension, leaving a heavy pall over their once-close bond.
Elsewhere, Ha-na's journey in "Star Rise" shines brightly as she inches closer to the grand finale, inching closer to the dream she once cherished with her late friend. Meanwhile, a dark cloud looms over the horizon as it is disclosed that the VIP entangled in the car accident is none other than an investor of Pandora, who had brought along a mysterious drug addict. This drug addict happens to be the person Hyun-cheol suspects to be the culprit behind his sister's untimely demise. With determination etched on his face, Hyun-cheol confronts the suspect and forces him to arrange a fateful meeting with the druggie, leading them to an undisclosed location shrouded in ominous anticipation.
Simultaneously, Jin-woo finds himself warmly embraced by his new company's team, securing a spot in their upcoming debut group. As destiny unfolds, Shim Jin-woo also begins his tenure at the factory. Despite these resolutions, Soo-hyun is haunted by insomnia and a gnawing guilt for "trading" Jin-woo for her personal gain.
Jin-woo, now enveloped in the hustle and bustle of commercial shoots, even goes to the extent of blocking his mother's number. It is only later that he discovers that Yi-jun, his former "Star Rise" companion, has joined his new group under false pretenses, having deceived Jin-woo about withdrawing from the competition. Jin-woo's anger boils over, and he sternly warns Yi-jun to refrain from stirring up trouble once again.
Concurrently, an Xpatch reporter confronts the "Star Rise" producer about his ties to Pandora. Just as Ha-na gears up for the grand finale, bombshell news breaks out, revealing Pandora's nefarious role in manipulating the competition's results, casting a shadow over her moment of glory.
A reporter grills Soo-hyun, who stands firmly in Jin-woo's defense, asserting that Jin-woo hadn't been a Pandora trainee throughout the competition. However, the tide of suspicion soon turns towards Ha-na, as it seems she has reaped the sweetest rewards from the manipulated outcomes. The producer of "Star Rise" confides in Hyun-cheol, unveiling his intention to eliminate Ha-na in the forthcoming round. This revelation sparks Hyun-cheol into action, prompting him to delve into the CCTV recordings from the club where the producer was indulged in illicit drug use. During his probe, Hyun-cheol unearths footage of Jin-woo at the same club and presents the reporter with an explosive new angle to pursue.
Shortly thereafter, the media landscape is ablaze with reports claiming Jin-woo's presence at the club and accusing him of bullying. Despite Jin-woo's vehement denial, his manager remains unconvinced. Jin-woo retreats to his dormitory, oblivious to the fact that Shim Jin-woo has been attempting to contact him and is hot on his heels.
Upon Shim Jin-woo's arrival, he discovers Jin-woo in the bathroom, his wrists bearing the grim evidence of self-harm. Panicked and desperate, Shim Jin-woo attempts to hush up the incident, but Soo-hyun catches wind of it during a conversation. Overwhelmed with distress, she is involved in a car accident, precisely as Jin-woo's manager discovers his plight.
